International Trade a ‘big issue’

Western Isles MP Angus MacNeil has been today confirmed as Chair of the Select Committee on International Trade, a post he held prior to the General Election.
Select committees are cross party groups whose role is to scrutinise the work of the associated Government department. Mr MacNeil says that at the present time, during Brexit negotiations, International Trade will be a big issue.
Mr MacNeil said:
“With Brexit negotiations ending many of our current trade agreements with European partners and the Government actively looking for new trade deals across the World, there will be much work for the committee to do to ensure that this Tory Government get the best possible outcomes for Britain and for Scotland.
“Failure to reach new trade deals would leave the UK as one of only a handful of countries without regional trade deals and expose us to the threat of tariffs for our exports and increased costs of raw materials and products on imports. This could have serious implications for fishing, textiles and other industries relied on not just in the Western Isles but throughout the Country.
“I look forward to the challenges and to working with cross-party colleagues to hold the government to account in the days and months ahead.”